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EXCLUSIVE: President Donald Trump’s Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Doug Collins, has proposed a significant reduction of 15% of the VA workforce, aiming to eliminate approximately 80,000 jobs. This controversial move comes as part of larger efforts to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Retired Lt. Col. Jim Whaley, who leads Mission Roll Call, a dedicated veteran advocacy non-profit, argues that such reforms are essential for enhancing the lives of veterans across the United States. He expressed these views in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, emphasizing the need to streamline operations at the VA.
Whaley pointed out that veterans are calling for a reduction of bureaucracy within the VA system, as well as an increase in community care options. This shift aims to reduce wait times and improve services available at local VA facilities. Whaley noted that addressing these issues is complex, stating, “If it was easy, somebody would have solved it.”
He highlighted a critical sentiment shared by many veterans, saying, “Every American and politician, from both sides of the aisle, can agree that we want to make sure we take care of our veterans. We just got out of over 20 years of war, so there are a lot of veterans and their families that need help.” Whaley emphasized the accountability of taxpayer dollars allocated to the VA and the importance of ensuring veterans receive timely care tailored to their needs.
While the Department of Veterans Affairs currently serves only half of the nation’s veterans, Whaley praised Collins’ initiatives to increase outreach through media appearances such as television and podcasts. Nevertheless, he called for greater transparency in the VA’s operations to engage the other half of veterans who still lack adequate care.
Collins recently remarked on the progress made under Trump’s leadership, indicating that the VA will no longer tolerate subpar results. He stated, “One hundred days into the second Trump administration, and VA is no longer content with poor results. Under President Trump’s leadership, we have already stripped away many of the costly distractions that were coming between VA beneficiaries and the benefits they have earned. And we’re looking to make even more historic reforms to better serve our veterans.”
The proposed job cuts and the administration’s reform efforts have drawn criticism from various media sources and Democratic leaders. Whaley, whose organization actively polls veterans’ opinions, noted that more than half of veterans express concerns about potential job reductions at the VA.
Amid the discussion of workforce changes, Whaley acknowledged the importance of communication. He pointed out, “When all you hear is about the cuts versus what the philosophy is behind why you’re making those changes in an organization, there’s going to be fear. Change is hard. It’s important that the VA stays as transparent as possible and reports on what is being done and what improvements are being made.”
Despite these concerns, Whaley, a veteran himself, believes there is a consensus among veterans for improved services at the VA. He stated, “They want to see services improve, they want to see wait times reduced. As time goes on and Veterans Affairs communicate more with veterans, they will know a little bit about what’s going on, and they’ll be a little less anxious about it.”
Whaley advises Collins and the VA to actively involve more veterans in discussions regarding reforms. Gathering input from families and caregivers could lead to better investment in veteran care, he suggested. Whaley connected veteran affairs with broader issues, remarking, “Veteran affairs are very important to recruitment issues, and that, of course, affects national security. So they’re not all separate, it all wraps together. When a veteran gets out of the service after a few years of serving their country, we have to make sure that the transition to the civilian world and finding a job and plugging into the community goes smoothly, because if we don’t, then we have an issue.”
According to the 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, the statistics are alarming, with over 17 veterans taking their own lives every day in 2021. Whaley stressed the importance of addressing this crisis, stating, “We need to get the number of suicides as close to zero as possible. That’s the number one priority.”
Additionally, he mentioned that facilitating community care is critical to ensuring veterans do not face long travel distances and extensive waiting periods to receive the services they require.
Whaley concluded with a clear message regarding the transition process, asserting, “We need to make sure that the Department of Defense and the VA are working together when veterans are transitioning out of the military to make sure they’re plugged into the VA and that the transition goes well. Because the fact of the matter is, the majority of suicides among veterans are from veterans that have recently transitioned to the civilian world.”
As the debate over VA reforms continues, the insights from advocates like Jim Whaley highlight the urgent need for improved communication, transparency, and a commitment to better serve those who have served the nation.
